dear friends,

following the killing of BAYAN MUNA (PEOPLE FIRST) members and BAYAN MUNA endorsed candidates from Mindoro Oriental, two organizers from Eastern Visayas, Philippines were abducted and have been missing since February 21, 2004.

we are urging your immediate action on this.

in solidarity,

KARAPATAN-National Office
Alliance for the Advancement of People's Rights

UA Date:            27 February 2004

UA title:              Two more BAYAN MUNA partylist organizers in Leyte, Philippines missing!

UA case:             Enforced Disappearance

I. Victim/s:          

Jacqueline Paguntalan

• female
• 26 years old
• A BAYAN MUNA (People First) organizer/coordinator
• A resident of Taft, Eastern Samar Philippines
  

Rolando Fortaleza

• male
• 28 years old
• A BAYAN MUNA (People First) organizer/coordinator
• An employee of the local government of Ormoc City
• A resident of Barangay Milagro, Ormoc City, Leyte, Philippines
  

II. Date of incident: 21 February 2004 at around 10:00 AM

III. Place of incident: Barangay Kilim, Baybay, Northern Leyte, Philippines

IV. Perpetrators: Suspected members of the 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army under the command of Major General Glenn Rabonza

V. Summary of Incident:

At around 10:00 AM on February 21, about seven (7) armed men believed to be members of both the Military Intelligence Command (MICO) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), aboard a black Dilica van trapped the victims along the national highway in Brgy. Kilim, Baybay, Leyte. Also seen with the group, was another individual, on board a TMX 125 motorcycle.

The victims were bound for Baybay to oversee the organizing efforts of Bayan Muna in the municipality and nearby barangays.

They were forced to come with them aboard the Dilica van with a covered plate number.

One of the companions of the victims managed to escape captivity and was able to relay this information to our office in Ormoc City. His name is being withheld for security reasons.

They remain missing to this day while families, friends and members of peoples organizations led by KATUNGOD-Eastern Visayas, the KARAPATAN network in the region and province have not let up their search.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Send letters, emails or fax messages calling for:

1. The immediate formation of an independent fact-finding and investigation team composed of representatives from human rights groups, the Church, local government, and the Commission on Human Rights that will look into the enforced disappearance of Jacqueline Paguntalan and Rolando Fortaleza ;
2. The prosecution of the perpetrators of enforced disappearance as well as investigations of other atrocities committed not only by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Military Intelligence Command in Leyte, but by other units of both the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police in different parts of the country as well.
3. The immediate and proper indemnification of the family/relatives of the victims; and
4. The Philippine Government to be reminded that it is a signatory of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and that it is also a party to all the major Human Rights instruments, thus it is bound to observe all of its provisions.

You may send your communications to:

H.E. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
President of the Republic
Malacanang Palace,
JP Laurel St., San Miguel
Manila Philippines
Voice: (+632) 564 1451 to 80
Fax: (+632) 742-1641 / 929-3968
Cell#: (+ 63) 919 898 4622 / (+63) 917 839 8462
E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]

Hon. Teresita Deles
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
7F Agustin Building I
Emerald Avenue
Pasig City, Philippines
Voice: (+632) 636 0701 to 0766
Fax: (+632) 638 2216
Email: [email protected]

Hon. Eduardo R. Ermita
Secretary, Department of National Defense
Camp Emilio Aguinaldo
E. de los Santos Avenue,
Quezon City, Philippines
Voice: (+632) 912-9281
Fax: (+632) 911 6213

Hon. Purificacion Valera Quisumbing
Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., UP Complex
Commonwealth Avenue
Diliman, Quezon City
Philippines
Fax: (+632) 929 0102
Email: [email protected]